Church of St Peter and St Paul
Church of St Peter and St Paul is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Vilnius audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~45 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Vilnius Vilnius guide
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About Church of St Peter and St Paul
A masterpiece of Lithuanian Baroque in Antakalnis, its plain exterior hiding an interior crowded with some 2,000 white stucco figures, the work of Italian masters brought here by the founder.
The Church of St Peter and St Paul (Sv. apastalu Petro ir Povilo baznycia), in the Antakalnis district north-east of the medieval Old Town core, is a masterpiece of Lithuanian Baroque. It was founded by Michal Kazimierz Pac, Grand Hetman of Lithuania and Voivode of Vilnius, to commemorate the expulsion of Russian forces from the city. The cornerstone was laid on 29 June 1668, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul; the shell was completed by 1676, the church consecrated in 1701 and its decoration finished by 1704. The architect was Jan Zaor of Krakow.
Its fame rests inside. The interior stucco decoration was created by the Italian masters Giovanni Pietro Perti and Giovanni Maria Galli, brought to Vilnius by Pac, and is famous for its compositions of some 2,000 white stucco figures depicting biblical, mythological and allegorical scenes alongside images of everyday life. A boat-shaped chandelier of brass and glass, installed in 1905, hangs in the nave as a symbol of St Peter the fisherman. Founder Pac is buried near the entrance beneath a slab inscribed 'Hic iacet peccator', 'Here lies a sinner'.
Did you know? The church's interior is famous for its compositions of some 2,000 white stucco figures; that traditional number is widely quoted, though the figures were never actually counted and sources vary.
How long should you spend at Church of St Peter and St Paul?
Plan about ~45 min at Church of St Peter and St Paul. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Church of St Peter and St Paul worth visiting?
Church of St Peter and St Paul is one of the 21 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Vilnius, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Vilnius
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Hear the story of Church of St Peter and St Paul
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